Hardwood Species & Specifications
Along with its primary products, quartersawn white and red oak, Frank Miller Lumber produces smaller quantities of quartersawn cherry, and hard maple.
Frank Miller Lumber offers FSC®-certified cherry, red oak, and white oak upon request.
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Quartersawn
Lumber Specifications
Average widths in our quartered white and red oak are approximately 6” – 6-1/2” and our rift boards average between 5” – 5½”. The “upper” grade of quartersawn white and red oak is Select and Better (4” x 6’ minimum). We also separate rift from quartered in lower grades: #1 Com (3” x 4’ minimum at 66 2/3% clear) and #2 Common (3” x 4’ minimum at 50% clear). Respectful inventory includes all grades in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and 8/4. Lengths run between 6’ and 12’, with small amounts of 13’ – 14’ available intermittently.
One of the most important things to remember when specifying all quartersawn lumber is that there are limitations to the width of the boards that you can specify. Because the log is quartered before boards are cut from it, quartersawn boards are narrower, given the same size tree one might cut into plainsawn lumber.
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A term used when talking about quartersawn hardwoods is “medullary ray.” In simple terms, the medullary rays are vascular cells that transmit moisture and nutrients outward as the tree grows. These channels radiate from the center of the log like the spokes of a wheel or the rays of the sun. These rays become clearly visible in quartersawn white and red oak. All trees have medullary rays, as it is the basic biology of the tree. These rays are most pronounced in white and red oak and when these species are quartersawn, the rays manifest themselves across the face of the board like brush strokes. This visual characteristic is most often referred to as “flake” or “figure.” For our purposes on this website, we will refer to visible medullary ray as “flake.” Since the medullary rays are pronounced in white and red oak, boards can be separated by a grader into two categories: “rift” and “quartered.”
“Quartered” exhibits flake in 80% of the board, and “rift,” shows less than 80% flake. “Rift” is simply less figured “quartered,” while maintaining the same straight grain appearance as quartered. Note that only the oaks are separated in this way. Cherry, hard maple and walnut have very small medullary rays and when quartersawn these species are not separated between “quartered” and “rift”. They are sold as “quartersawn” and share the straight-grained appearance of all quartersawn lumber.
Lumber Species We Sell
White Oak
Quartersawn white oak is the highest volume species produced by Frank Miller Lumber, yet supply can vary a great deal over the course of a year due to demand fluctuations.
Specifying Quartersawn White Oak
The following are basic guidelines to follow when specifying quartersawn white oak for flooring, millwork, furniture and cabinetry:
- White oak is non-porous, which allows it to be used in building wine and whiskey barrels as well as boats. The difference is that white oak has “tyloses” in its vascular cells, which effectively seal the cells as the tree grows.
- Its straight grain will restrict its shrinkage to the thickness of the board as opposed to width. This also minimizes warping and cupping, making it an ideal flooring, cabinetry, millwork and furniture material.
- Quartered and rift white oak are used in flooring, cabinetry, millwork or furniture, rift is used where a subtler appearance is desired.
- Lengths are typically between 4 ft and 12 ft (depending on grade), and widths are between 4 in. and 8 in. on average. Note that rift boards are typically narrower than quartered boards. The Architectural Woodwork Institute quality standards allow, in rift white and red oak, for boards wider than 4 ¼” to be edge glued for width. Ironically in such a circumstance, the straight grained appearance of the board will render the glue line imperceptible and that glue line will be the strongest part of the board.
Red Oak
If your demand is for less figured oak and the supply of rift white is limited; you should consider red oak as a viable alternative. Red oak represents 35% of the American forest resource and will always be in plentiful supply with relatively modest price fluctuation over the course of a year. With the rapidly growing market for bourbon around the world, the demand for white oak has increased dramatically for building whiskey barrels. Since red oak does not have “tyloses” like white oak, wine and whiskey barrels can’t be made of red oak. Therefore, the barrel industry exerts no pressure on red oak markets. Red oak has shorter medullary rays and exhibits a slightly less pronounced flake than white oak, with its longer and more pronounced rays. Often it can be difficult to tell the difference in appearance between red and white oak when finished.
Specifying Quartersawn Red Oak
The following are basic guidelines to follow when specifying quartersawn red oak lumber for millwork, furniture, cabinetry and flooring:
- The ”flake” in quartered red oak, is subtler than that of white oak, yet becomes more pronounced when the wood is finished.
- Its straight grain will restrict its shrinkage to the thickness of the board as opposed to width. This minimizes warping and cupping, making it an ideal flooring, cabinetry, millwork and furniture material.
- Quartered and rift red oak are used in flooring, cabinetry, millwork or furniture, but rift is used where a subtler appearance is desired.
- Red oak is more porous than white oak, therefore lending itself to staining more easily. Lengths are typically between 4 ft. and 12 ft. (depending on grade), and widths are between 4 in. and 8 in. on average. Note that rift boards are typically narrower than quartered boards. The Architectural Woodwork Institute quality standards allow, in rift white and red oak, for boards wider than 4 ¼” to be edge glued for width. Ironically in such a circumstance, the straight grained appearance of the board will render the glue line imperceptible and that glue line will be the strongest part of the board.
Cherry
Quartersawn cherry hardwood is prized for its rich color, fine grain, and smooth texture, making it a favorite among high-end furniture and cabinetry makers. While Frank Miller Lumber offers consistent availability, seasonal demand and log procurement can affect supply throughout the year.
Specifying Quartersawn Cherry
The following are basic guidelines to follow when specifying quartersawn cherry:
- Quartersawn cherry is narrower than quartersawn oak because the logs are smaller.
- When cherry is quartersawn, the sap will always run along the edge of the board.
- Quartersawn cherry is used in flooring, cabinetry, millwork or craftsman furniture where fine figured hardwood is desired.
- Supply in Select and Better is usually limited, yet good quantities generally exist in #1 Com and #2 Com, as well as 6–7 ft. The 6–7 ft Select and Better quartersawn lumber is perfect for shorter, clear cuttings. Quartersawn cherry is distinguished by its straight grain appearance. Lengths are typically between 4 ft. and 12 ft., (depending on grade).
Hard Maple
Quartersawn hard maple is known for its strength, durability, and clean, contemporary look, making it ideal for flooring, cabinetry, and architectural millwork. Frank Miller Lumber maintains a steady inventory, though supply may vary based on seasonal harvest conditions and market demand.
Specifying Quartersawn Hard Maple
The following are basic guidelines to follow when specifying quartersawn hard maple:
- The sapwood in Frank Miller Lumber’s hard maple is of a creamy hue, rather than the milky white found farther north.
- Quartersawn hard maple is narrower than white and red oak because the logs are typically smaller.
- When hard maple is quartersawn, the heart will always run along the edge of the board.
- Quartersawn hard maple is used in flooring, cabinetry, millwork or craftsman furniture where fine figured hardwood is desired.
- Supply in Select and Better is usually limited, yet good quantities generally exist in #1 Com and #2 Com, as well as 6–7 ft. The 6–7 ft. Select and Better lumber is perfect for shorter, clear cuttings. Quartersawn hard maple is distinguished by its straight grain appearance. Lengths are typically between 4 ft. and 12 ft. (depending on grade), and widths are between 4 in. and 6 in. on average.
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Our ultimate success as a premium hardwood lumber supplier lies in the satisfaction of the end user of products manufactured from our beautiful quartersawn hardwood. Contact us today to work directly with our experienced, customer relationship-focused sales team that always delivers on a promise.